[Colo Springs E]

.....and since it's 45 and sunny and Garden of the Gods is basically my backyard, it's time to go for a ride! Laters

 

[bee-man]

Thank you.
Well, that's the thing. I am not ready for trails, not really. When I am, this can be my daughter's bike.

That's a nice bike for a pass-down. You people are so lucky... we only have one Giant dealer, and I have been waiting for a Tempt since April. More Talon 2s are scheduled to arrive this month, so I'm probably going to grab one of those instead.

 

[Lady]

We have many Giant dealers, but it does not help. Tempt 0 that I bought was the only one within 400 miles. The bike shortage is real.
I love my new bike. It's a blast.

 

[Colo Springs E]

We have many Giant dealers, but it does not help. Tempt 0 that I bought was the only one within 400 miles. The bike shortage is real.
I love my new bike. It's a blast.

yep I felt pretty good that I at least had three bikes to compare (Trek Marlin, Cannondale Trail 5 and the Giant). I would have liked more choices but I'm out riding a bike I enjoy very much, and at a later time when things are better, the supply chain is in better shape etc, I may upgrade. Or maybe not, we'll see!

 

[Lady]

I guess it depends on everybody's needs. As of right now, I see absolutely no point to upgrade. The cost of Talon 0/Tempt 0 in Canada makes it basically unbeatable. There is simply no competition. I made an excel sheet, comparing all the options at this price range. Kona Kahuna is basically identical to Talon 0 in terms of specs, costs as much as Fathom 2, which is a much nicer bike. There are offerings from Trek that cost more, while offering 10 speed Deore and coil fork.
I think that air fork, 12 speed Deore, hydraulic breaks are enough to cover most needs.

 

[Colo Springs E]

I certainly wouldn't have minded a nicer fork, but for my purposes, I predict this Suntour will do fine. Probably the biggest downside to my bike is weight. My 2012 hardtail Stumpjumper was just under 27# I think, and my Talon 2 is just over 31# using my bathroom scale which is pretty accurate (me alone, me holding the bike, weighing three diffeent times each). At some point, maybe I'll put lighter wheels on it, but that's no time soon. In the meantime, the extra weight will be part of my workout haha

 

[Lady]

I certainly wouldn't have minded a nicer fork, but for my purposes, I predict this Suntour will do fine. Probably the biggest downside to my bike is weight. My 2012 hardtail Stumpjumper was just under 27# I think, and my Talon 2 is just over 31# using my bathroom scale which is pretty accurate (me alone, me holding the bike, weighing three diffeent times each). At some point, maybe I'll put lighter wheels on it, but that's no time soon. In the meantime, the extra weight will be part of my workout haha

If it makes you feel any better, Trek Roscoe 6, that costs way more than your Talon, weights an astonishing 35 lbs.
At the time when there are no deals and you are paying MSRP for bikes, Trek was the first brand I scratched off my bike choice list. All their under $2000 offerings are inferior for the cost in every respect. And the weight is simply brutal.
My number one choice was to get Specialized Chisel (base model). I was prepared to pay more, I am used to Specialized. Unfortunately, there are no bikes anywhere, in any size. And even preorder with 20% downpayment was not guaranteeing I will have a bike in the spring. Fathom 2 was my next choice. Unfortunately, it did fit slightly too big. Yes, modifications could have been made to make it fit better, but it would already cost $560 CAD more and then $$$ towards modifications. In my particular case (petite and very slight female) Tempt 0 ended up being the best choice for the money. Although I do realize I could have had more bike if I purchased Fathom 2 and made it fit.

 

[Singletrack828]

Bought my son a talon 2 and my wife a tempt 2 for Xmas. They are both happy so far. They both need a dropper seat. Give them a year and they will both be on a full suspension

 

[MichiganTrailBum]

Has anyone on here gone with an increased travel fork on a pre-21 29er? I know it will slacken the head and seat tube angles as well as increase the wheelbase a bit. Wondering if it completely breaks the handling or would leave that fairly intact while offering more capability. The fork I have on there can be converted to 120mm pretty easily, so I'm thinking about it.

Sent from my Pixel 3a XL using Tapatalk

 

[Lady]

Bought my son a talon 2 and my wife a tempt 2 for Xmas. They are both happy so far. They both need a dropper seat. Give them a year and they will both be on a full suspension

another reason not to invest into a more advanced hardtail. From what I have seen from Tempt 0 so far, it's quite capable off-road, on regular trails. Those, who will want more, will need FS. When I was in Quebec last summer, I was told at bike shops that they don't sell a lot of hard tails other than beginner ones. If people are serious about trails - they buy FS.

 

[Lady]

Due to weather, I have not had enough chance to fully explore my bike, but I have taken it on two of my regular routes. In all honesty, I could kick myself for not getting a hard tail before. In many countries ppl buy them as their do-it-all bike, especially 29r, and I can now see why. Maybe I am getting older, but the comfort even on the street is far superior to the tires of my 28mm fitness hybrid and my 32mm "gravel". I live in the city and we have a lot of uneven, cracked pavement. Rail trail - same thing. I should have not jumped on "gravel" bandwagon 2,5 years ago and should have bought Talon/Tempt/Rockhopper. It is far more suitable for the roads around where I live.
Our city is hilly and windy. The experience of going downhill on Tempt is completely different from going down on gravel bike, where sometimes I was clutching the breaks and praying for my life. Tempt is far more stable.

 

[jwmurph]

I've only had my Talon 1 out a few times too and the comfort is amazing compared to my road bike as you'd expect but it's also better than an old 26" wheel Trek 3700 hardtail I have and that has bigger tire volume.

For me a hardtail meets my needs perfectly, some light trails and along a non-paved canal route and leisurely social family rides. A FS bike would be another step both in comfort and capability that I wouldn't need or could justify the additional expense but who knows, if the MTB bug bites like the road bike did then I'll be looking to upgrade within 12-18 months.

My son has a Trek Marlin 7 and the Talon 1 much nicer to ride, I could end up upgrading his Trek before I get to my Talon upgrade!

 

[Colo Springs E]

I have just always preferred hardtail bikes. I owned a full suspension for about 6-8 months, and I went back to hardtail. Have been to Moab once, and took my hardtail (2012 Stumpjumper, 26" wheels) and had a blast. Different strokes and all that, I understand why many prefer full squish, it's just not my thing. I also like riding my bike around town, to work etc and a hardtail is just better for that. So a hardtail just works better for me.

 

[jwmurph]

I have just always preferred hardtail bikes. I owned a full suspension for about 6-8 months, and I went back to hardtail. Have been to Moab once, and took my hardtail (2012 Stumpjumper, 26" wheels) and had a blast. Different strokes and all that, I understand why many prefer full squish, it's just not my thing. I also like riding my bike around town, to work etc and a hardtail is just better for that. So a hardtail just works better for me.

I've never had a ride on a FS bike, I'd imagine the main benefits are on really rough terrain but the hardtail may be less capable on those downhill sections but may be better on the climbs with less power loss from the shocks? For now I love my Talon and it fits nicely into my ever-growing bike stable. It's the least expensive but the one I feel most comfortable riding around town and leaving outside a coffee shop or at work while unattended.

 

[Trinimon]

I've never had a ride on a FS bike, I'd imagine the main benefits are on really rough terrain but the hardtail may be less capable on those downhill sections but may be better on the climbs with less power loss from the shocks? For now I love my Talon and it fits nicely into my ever-growing bike stable. It's the least expensive but the one I feel most comfortable riding around town and leaving outside a coffee shop or at work while unattended.

It's a different feel/ride on a FS over a HT. A HT is a great way to learn to ride aggressive because it is less forgiving for bad technique than a FS. I think you gain more respect for the trails than if one was to get into MTB straight on a FS. With my HT, I'm always conscious to where my rear wheel is because you can easily lose control of your rear end on roots/rocks etc whereby a FS would tend to hold the ground longer than a HT's rear end. There are some bigger drops/jumps I won't do if riding my HT as it's just a bit too harsh. Maybe if I was younger. But yeah, climbing on a HT does feel better than a FS, though a lot of newer bikes these days have improved their design to reduce pedal bobbing and do climb surprisingly well.

 

[Lady]

Well, that's the thing. I have heard for years now that ppl are using their 100mm 29rs as their main do-it-all bike.
I bought a gravel bike thinking it will become one. Unfortunately, the speed was there, light weight was there, but comfort, or lack of thereof, became an issue.
Talons and Tempts can take full size racks and fenders, which gives them an ability to become a commuter as well.

I also like riding my bike around town, to work etc and a hardtail is just better for that.

 

[willowbeast]

Well my Talon is sitting there naked. Nothing on it right now except a rear broken rim. I now have a 2020 Trance 2 so I've used all the parts off my Talon and put them on my wife's Tempt. She now has my Epixon fork set at 120mm, my SLX front and rear brakes and levers, my SLX rear mech and my Sunrace 11-42 cassette oh and my dropper post. So my Talon frame is sitting there with her old Raidon fork and wheels. Not sure what I will do with it just yet. Build it up with parts and sell it or keep it and when I find great deals on parts buy them and slap them on the bike and keep it for when my son reaches a M size bike (he's on an XS, soon will be once we find him one)

 

[Talon123]

Ok, sorry but this is slightly off post but I wonder if you guys can help me…..

I have 1 2021 Talon 2 and have just purchased a Sram Eagle 1x12 NX Group set. Bike is currently in bits, cycle stores closed due to Covid and turns out I need a Sram DUB Bottom Bracket, rather than the one that comes on it in its usual 2x format.

Will this bottom bracket do the trick? I cant find out any details of what bottom bracket fits the frame.

Nukeproof Horizon Bottom Bracket SRAM DUB BSA | Chain Reaction Cycles

Nukeproof Horizon Bottom Bracket SRAM DUB BSA - Lowest Prices and FREE shipping available from The World's largest online bike store - Chain Reaction Cycles

www.chainreactioncycles.com

I can get this delivered tomorrow!

Thanks for any help.

 

[Talon123]

Just thought I would update you all in case this is interesting or useful to anyone…..

I did order this Bottom Bracket for my 2021 Talon 2 Nukeproof Horizon Bottom Bracket SRAM DUB BSA | Chain Reaction Cycles

And it worked with this 1x12 drive train set by Sram

SRAM NX Eagle 12 Speed Mountain Bike Groupset | Chain Reaction Cycles

The bike is back in one piece, rides beautifully, changes gear like a dream and looks amazing – which is half the battle. I also fitted the drive train I took off the Talon, a Shimano 2x8 onto my daughters Specialised Hardrock which was previously a 3x9…. That’s trickle-down technology at its best.

I thought I would post this update as I couldn’t find any info on the Talon Bottom Bracket other than it’s “a cassette” and wondered this is was something others are likely to do. The bottom bracket that it came with my talon had no markings, stickers or brand name to help identify it….….

Out of interest I also fitted a pair of these…. Nukeproof Neutron EVO Flat Pedals | Chain Reaction Cycles at the same time and fitted one of these last month after i broke the Suntours…..

RockShox Reba RL Forks | Chain Reaction Cycles

I think I now have a Talon -1 !!!!!

Take care, stay safe and happy cycling.

 

[Lady]

Congrats on your upgrades. They are fun to do, aren't they?
I won't do anything major like that just yet, but I have a question about the pedals. Do you like them? I have the stock pedals, which aren't bad, but I'd like something nicer.
I rode clipless on my gravel, but I want to stick to platforms on my MTB.